Lock and door operating mechanism



Dec. WH|TE ET AL LOCK AND DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 4, 1931 4 Sheet's-Sheet l mysNTons cl'fli eyu w jar/Q 19 @6044 ATTO RH E 15 Dec. 15, 1931. L J. WHITE ET AL 1,836,697

LOCK AND DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 4, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ":JVENTORS MJ/Ze/ cIfLPEyueJ ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1931. L. J WHITE ET AL LOCK AND DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 4, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet LN INVENTORS Ifl.PegueJ ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1931. L. J. WHITE ET AL LOCK AND DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 4, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Z. Jm cIfLPgwas ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LLOYD I. 'AND JOHN A. PEG-UES, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, ASSIGNOBS TO SOUTHERN PRISON COMPANY, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OF TEXAS AND DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Application filed March 4,

This invention relates to lock and door operating mechanism for a series of cell doors and aims to provide improved means for imparting movement in proper sequence tobars which operate the locks and doors while power is applied continuously in onedirection to the mechanism. This application is a companion to co-pending applications of L. J. White and G. L. Youngblood, Ser. No. 451,142 and L. J. White and D. F. Youngblood, Serial No. 520,120.

Other aims and advantages of the invention will appear in the'specification, when considered 'in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein z- Fig. 1 is a' fragmentary vertical sectional view showing one form of the mechanism at the end of a row of cells;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism, parts being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; and p Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, are side elevations of the mechanism, parts being separated to indicate their relative positions after various operating movements have been imparted.

the illustrated mechanism constitutes a part of a master operating system wherein lock operating and door propelling movements are imparted in sequence to a pair of master bars which are adapted to be selectively connected to the doors. It will be understood, however, that such mechanism may be applied to individual bars over the various doors.

In Figs. 1 to 3, the mechanism is shownlas being arranged within the usual housing 10:

11 and 12 have to'be moved independently ofeach other to actuate the locks and doors. In this example, both bars must be moved to the left to their respective unlocking and door opening positions. The bar "11 must first be moved and then the bar 12"must be 1931. Seria1 No. 520,119.

moved while the bar 11 remains in its unlock After the bar 12 has been ing position. moved to its door opening position, it must remain in thisposition while the locking bar 11 is again moved to its locking position in order to lock the doors open.

The mechanism, constituting the subject of this invention, is arranged to be operated operator to per orm a. series of separate'operations or to work separate levers.

The door propelling bar 12 is here shown as being arranged substantially centrally of the housing 10 and a rack 15 is slidably supported thereon by means of spaced rollers 16 connected to side plates or brackets 17 which are bolted or otherwise secured to opposite sides of the rack. The rack is thus guided Referring particularly to the drawings,

to move longitudinally with respect to the bar 12. Connected on one side of the rack 15 adjacent to the locking bar 11 is an intermittent rack 18 adapted to impart lock actuating movements to the locking bar. In this instance, both racks and the brackets 17 are secured together by aseries of bolts 19. The brackets or plates 17 extend below the master propelling bar and have provision to impart movement to said bar after the rack 15 has moved through a predetermined distance carrying the rack 18, thereby permitting the lock operating mechanism to function.

In this example, the hand wheel driving connections include bevel gears 20, a vertical shaft 21, a countershaft 22 and a sprocket chain 23 driving ashaft 24 which is. journaled in a bracket 25 and carries a driving gear 26 meshing with the teeth on the rack 15. When the hand wheel is turned initially, it imparts left-hand movement to the rack 15 and the rack 18. This initial movement is utilized to impart unlocking imovementto the locking bar 11 through an intermittent gear 27 mounted on a shaft 28 which is journaled in a bracket or support 29 and carries a cam 30 at its outer end which works in an elongated slot 31 in the bar. The construction is such that the intermittent gear 27 and the cam are turned through a half revolution to move the bar through a distance equal to the throw of the cam. For this purpose, the rack 18 has a series of teeth 32 at its lefth'and-end, the number of teeth being equal to half the number of teeth on the intermittent gear or pinion 27. The upper edge of the rack is smooth beyond these teeth and the pinion has a flat portion 33 arranged to engage the smooth portion of the rack so that the pinion 'is held inactive after the teeth 32 have turned it through a half revolution, as

just described. The mechanism is now ready to impart door opening movement to the propelling bar 12 because all selected locks connected to the locking bar have been unlocked. Asthe driving gear 26 continues to turn,

engagin the continuous teeth on the rack 15,

both rac s 15 and 18 and the brackets or plates 17 continue to move to the left. In this instance, the brackets or plates 17 are utilized to impart door propelling movement to the bar 12. Forthis purpose, both plates straddlethe bar 12 and extend a short distance below it, thelower edges being bent to provide flanges 3 1 spaced. a sufficient distance apart to receive a flexible chain element 35 pivotally secured thereto by means of a bolt or pin 36.. The flexible element is here shown as: comprising a series of sprocket chain links and rollers 37 and is secured midway between its ends to the bracket flanges 3-l below the center of the rack 15.

ranged to roll on a horizontal T-shaped track 38 having inclined ends or faces 39, the

length of the track being substantially the same as that of the rack 15 or the extent of grovement to be imparted to the propelling On the lower edge of the propelling bar 12 is secured a pair of spaced brackets or lugs 40' having inclined faces 41 at their inner ends providing abutments for the end rollers of the flexible element or chain 35. The inclination of the faces is substantially the same as that of the faces 39 on the track 38 and the distance between the faces is approximately equal to the length of the chain so that the chain may be confined between the faces to roll on the track, as indicated in Figs. 5- and 6-.

When the doors are closed or the propelling bar .12'is in its door closing position, that portion of theflexible member or chain 35- at the right-hand side of its connection, lies between the inclined faces 39 and 41 on the track and the bar respectively and on the basexflange of the track, as shown in Fig. 1. The length'of this portion of the chain or flexible member which, incidentally, prevents The rollers are ar any accidental movement of the bar 12 in the position shown in Fig. 1, is equal to the length of movement imparted to the racks 15 and 19 during the unlocking operation, so that the chain will assume the position indicated in Fig. 5 with its forward end roller 37 engaging the inclined abutmentface 41 on the lefthand bracket 40. The continued movement of the rack 15 and the bracket plates 1'? carrying the flexible member or chain will impart longitudinalmovement to the left tot-he rack 12 until the inclined abutment face ll has passed the left-hand inclined face 39 on the track 38 a-distance sufficient to permit the left-hand section of the chain to roll downwardly between the inclined faces, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the thrust being applied through the links of the chain.

When the left-hand section of the flexible element or chain is free to roll downwardly on the left-hand inclined face 39- of the track, and the parts are in the position shown in 6, the propelling bar 12 has reach-ed the limit of its door opening movement. The driving gear 26, however.v has not moved the rack 15 and its associated parts to the limit of their travel. Further and continued movement imparted to the rack and the associated parts is utilized to impart locking movement again to the locking bar 11 so as to look all of the open doors in open position. For this purpose, a second series of teeth 32 are provided at the right hand end of the rack bar 19' to engage the lock operating pinion 27 and impart another half revolution to the shaft andthe bar operating cam 30, thereby moving the bar 11 to the right or back to its original position, as shown in Fig. 7. While this movement was being imparted to the locking bar, the door propellingbar 12 remained stationary and the left-hand section of the flexible element assumed-the position shown in Fig. 7. I

To review the sequence of operations, in order to unlock, open and lock open the doors, Fig. 4: shows the relative positions of the parts when both master bars are in door locking and closing positions. Fig. 5 shows the relative positions ofthe parts when unlocking, movement has been imparted to the lock j 1:

ing bar and before any movement has been imparted to the door propelling bar. The intermittent lock operating pinion 27 is now inactive because the flat face 33 engages the smooth part of the rack 19. Fig. 6 shows the position of the parts after the door propelling bar 12 has been moved to the extreme left end of its: travel or to full door opening positlon. It will be seen that the smooth part 33 of the intermittent lock operating pinion 27 has reached the right-hand end of the smooth portion on the lock operating rack 19 and the teeth on the pinion are about ready to mesh with the short series of teeth 32 on the right-hand endofthe rack; In Fig. 7, the 1i 1 lock operating pinion has been turned cam has moved the bar 11 to the right.

While this movement was being imparted to the locking bar, the rollers on the left-hand section of the chain or flexible element positively'prevented any accidental or intentional door opening movement of the bar 12,

because of the wedging engagement of the face 41 on the left-hand bracket or lug with the chain or rollers passing over the down wardly inclined face 39 of the left-hand end of the track 38.

It is not believed to be necessary to illustrate the sequence of operations tojunlock, close and relock all of the doors after they have been locked open. It is suificient'to state that the operations are the reverse of those just described in connection with Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive. In other words, it is only necessary to turn the hand wheel 13 in the opposite direction so as to impart movement to the right to the rack 15 and its associated such as are now commonly employed. The

parts, as viewed in Fig. 7, until all of the parts reach the limit of their movement.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the mechanism is relatively simple, as compared with double lever mechanisms,

arrangement is such that an operator can devote his attention to the actuation of a single device and does not have to remember complicated instructions or to perform different operations at different times. The lock operating and door propelling movements are always imparted in the proper sequence, thereby avoiding any danger of jammingthe bars or other operating parts. Moreover, a

ailer can operate the doors very quickly in case of mutinies or fire.

Obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly, since they may be employed advantageously in various com binations and subcombinations.

\Vhat we claim is 1. In a cell door locking and operating system having a lock operating bar and a door propelling bar, an actuating member associated with the door propelling bar and connected initially to move longitudinally with 2. In a cell door locking and operating sys? tem having a lock operating bar and a door propelling bar, an actuating member associated with the door propelling bar and connected initially to move longitudinally with.

respect thereto; intermittent gearing connected to said actuating member; means connecting the intermittent gearing to actuate the lock operating bar during the initial longitudinal movement of the actuating member; means connecting said actuating memher, after it has been initially moved, to the door propelling bar to impart door opening movement to the door propelling bar; and a single manually operable device connected to impart continuous longitudinal movement to said bar actuating member. j

. '3. In a. cell door locking and operating system having a lock operating bar and a door propelling bar, an'actuating member associated with the door propelling bar and connected initially tomove longitudinally with respect thereto; intermittent gearing connected to said actuating member; means connecting the intermittent gearing to actuate the lock operating bar during the initial longitudinal movement of the actuating member; means connecting said actuating member, after it has been initially moved, to the .door propelling bar to impart door opening movement to thedoor propelling bar; and a hand wheel connected to impart continuous longitudinal movement to the actuating member. 7

4-. In a cell door locking and operating system having a lock operating bar and a door propelling bar, an actuating member associated with the door propelling bar and connected initially to move longitudinally with respect thereto; intermittent gearing connected to said actuating member; means connecting the intermittent gearing to actuate the lock operating bar during the initial longitudinal movement of the actuating member; means connecting said actuating member, after it has been initially moved, to the door propelling bar to. impartdoor opening movement to the door propelling bar; means to disconnect the actuating member from the door propelling bar after the bar has reached the limit of its door propelling movement; means associated with said intermittent earing and actuating member to impart loc lzing movement to the locking bar upon further longitudinal movement of the actuating member; and driving means connected to move the actuating membercontinuously in one direction so as to impart all of said movements to the bars. 5. In a door locking and operating system having a master lock operating bar and a master door propelling bar; a rack mounted to move longitudinally with respect to the door propelling bar; bracket members carrying sa-idrack; a second rack having intermittent-gearteeth adjacent to and movable with the'first-named rack an intermittent pinion meshing with said second rack and connected to impart lock actuating movement to said lock operating bar; means connecting the bracket members to impart movement to the door propelling bar in proper sequence; and gearing Connected to said first-named rack to impart continuous movement thereto to perform said operations.

- 6. Ina door locking and operating system having a master lockoperati-ng bar and a master door propelling bar, amaster actuating member for said bars mounted on said d'oor propelling bar and movable longitudinally with respect thereto; gearing connected to impart longitudinal movement to said master actuating member in either direction; intermittent gearing connected to be actuated by said master actuating member; cam means connecting said intermittent gearing to actuate the lock operating bar in proper sequence independently of the door propelling bar; bracket members associated with the master 1 actuating member flexible elements pivotally sequence.

7. In a door locking and operating system having a master lock operating bar and a master door propelling bar a rack mounted to move longitudinally with respect to the door propelling bar;gearing connected to impart continuous longitudinal movement in either direction to said rack; intermittent gearing driven by said rack and connected to impart lock actuatingmovement to the master lock operating bar in proper sequence; bracket members secured to said rack; a sprocket. chain pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said bracket members below said door propelling bar; spaced, inclined abutments on the lower edge of the door propelling bar adapted to be engaged by said chain; and a horizontal track below the door propelling bar having inclined faces at its ends and arranged to confine the chain between said abutments after actuating movement has been imparted to the lock operating bar whereby further longitudinal movement of the rack will actuate the door propelling bar.

8. In a door locking and operating system having a master lock operating bar and a master door propelling bar, a rack mounted to move longitudinally with respect to the door propelling bar; gearing connected to impart continuous longitudinal movement in either direction to said rack; means connecting the rack to actuate the lock operating bar in proper sequence; bracket members secured to said rack; a sprocket chain pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said bracket members below said door propelling bar;

spaced, inclined abutments on the lower edge of the door propelling baradapted to be engaged by said chain; and horizontal track below the door propelling bar having inclined faces at its ends and arranged toconfine the chain between saidabutments after actuating movement has been imparted to the lock operating bar whereby further longitudinal movement of the rack will actuate the door propelling bar.

9. In a door locking and operating system having a master lock operating bar and a master door propelling bar, a rack mounted to move longitudinally with respect to the door propelling bar; gearing connected to impart continuous longitudinal movement in either direction to said rack; intermittent gearing driven by said rack and connected to impart lock actuating movement to the maslock operating bar in proper sequence; bracket plates secured' to the sides of said rack and straddling the door propelling bar; rollers between said plates resting on said bar; a sprocket chain pivotally secured midway between its ends between the plates and below the door propelling bar; rollers carried by the chain; a T-sh-ape'd track below the propelling bar having downwardly inclined end faces and arranged to confine the run of the chain between it and the lower edge of the bar; and inclined abutments on the lower edge of said bar so arranged that the chain propels the bar in either direction after the locking bar has been actuated.

10. In a door locking and operating system having a master lock operating bar and a master door propelling bar, a rack mounted to move longitudinally with respect to the door propelling bar gearing connected to impart continuous longitudinal movement in either direction to said rack; means connecting the rack to actuate the lock operating-bar in proper sequence; bracket plates secured to the sides of said rack and straddling the door propelling bar; rollers between said plates resting on said bar; a sprocket chain pivotally secured midway between its ends between the plates and below the door propelling bar; rollers carried by the chain; a T- shaped track below the propelling bar having downwardly inclined end faces and arranged to confine the run of the chain between it and the lower edge of the bar; and inclined abutments on the lower edge of said bar so arranged that the chain propels the bar in either direction after the locking bar has been actuated.

1.1. In a cell door locking and operating system having a lock operating bar and a door propelling bar; a rack slidably mounted on the door propelling bar; gearing to move the rack back and forth on said bar; means connecting the rack upon its initial movement to actuate the lock operating bar; a bracket on the rack extending below the door propelling bar; a sprocket chain pivotally connected to the bracket below the door propelling bar; a pair of spaced lugs on the lower edge-of the door propelling bar; and a track below the bar arranged to confine the chain between said lugs after the rack has been moved initially to actuate the lock operating bar whereby the chain then imparts movement to the door propelling bar.

12. In a cell door locking and operating system having a lock operatingbar and a door propelling bar; a rack slidably mounted on the door propelling bar; gearing to move the rack back and forth on said bar; means connecting the rack upon its initial movement to actuate the lock operating bar; a pair of bracket plates secured to the rack and straddling the door propelling bar; flanges on the lower edges of the plates; a sprocket 2Q chain pivotally secured midway between its ends to said flanges; an elevated track below the door propelling bar; rollers on the chain to roll on said track and beyond the ends thereof; and spaced abutments on the said 5 propelling bar between which the chain is confined by said track only after the rack has been moved to impart unlocking movement to the locking bar whereby the chain then imparts actuating movement to the door propelling bar.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own, we have hereto afiixed our signatures.

L. J. WHITE. J. A. PEGUES. 

